The endless possibilities of style for your garden

The huge surge of interest in home decorating over the past few years has started to filter out into the garden. The garden has become another area for us to create a space that is unique to us and reflects our own personalities.

But in the past, the type of furniture and objects available were quite limited and mainly traditional in design. We all remember wide striped deckchairs that granny had trouble getting out of, or the front garden festooned with a whole army of impish gnomes.

But nowadays there are some fantastic, stylish furniture and unusual, brightly coloured decorative objects and outdoor paints available.
 
Go for a Moroccan theme by rendering a low brick wall with cement and painting it brilliant white. Add some brightly coloured scatter cushions and hang jewel-coloured glass lanterns on the trees next to a tinkling, mirrored wind chime, a small mosaic table, and some rich, fragrant climbers close by and you will be transformed to an all together more exotic place.

Alternatively, a streamlined and modern style can be achieved with bold, stainless steel planters in reLINKngular and square shapes. Keep planting minimal and symmetrical for a stunning effect and finish off the look with Scandinavian-style low benches and table and a couple of the many modern recliners.

Brilliant, primary colours always work well in a garden and might be a good choice for a family garden. You can now get trendy wicker furniture in beautiful sunshine colours, and modern recliners in every colour you could wish for. Paint some old pieces of furniture – perhaps on old wicker chair or a pine wooden table in clashing bright colours of red, pink and green for lots of contrast and excitement. Finish off the look with a multi-coloured hammock.

And, of course, with the return of opulent and textured interiors, you may want to go for a more nostalgic look and create a romantic, Victorian garden with a cream lattice metal table and chairs with scatter cushions in pretty, primrose-sprig prints together with a charming, classic birdcage lanterns and old-fashioned outdoor lighting. Traditional pieces such as statues and large statement pots and urns with cascading geraniums work well and with some billowing roses to help finish off the look.

No matter what look you go for this summer, you’ll be able to enjoy your garden all summer long. Weather permitting, of course.

Age - up to 5 years

Simultaneously the easiest to entertain and the biggest handful, the most rewarding thing about children of this age is that everything is new and exciting to them. Even traditional chores such as cleaning up have an exotic value to children up to five. Cherish this wholesome innocence while you have it.

Reading to children of this age is very important. Not only is it entertaining for you and them, but is proven to increase their successes in school. A nice colourful book, with a good story and vibrant pictures will captivate your child. Try taking on the voices of the characters in the books as this will enrich the experience considerably for the child. If you let them follow the words while you read, they will learn very quickly.

If the weather is really bad, why not have a picnic. indoors? Lay down a picnic rug in the middle of your sitting room, fill a basket with food and drink, and eat off paper or plastic plates with picnic cutlery. It may not be a real picnic, but your child will enjoy doing an 'outdoor' thing indoors.